2005 Ford Five Hundred: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2005 Ford Five Hundred: 2 recalls, 510 owner complaints and up to 21 mpg combined.

Recalls
2 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 1 equipment/tire recall that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Fuel system Vehicle recall #05V515000 · 2005 · 123,206 vehicles
What's wrong: On certain passenger vehicles, the straps that secure the fuel tank to the vehicle body May break, causing the fuel tank and fuel tank heat shield to drop on the driveshaft (all wheel drive vehicles) or exhaust system (front wheel drive vehicles).
Why it matters: If this happens, drivers May notice a noise or a fuel leak. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire.
The fix: Dealers will replace both fuel tank straps. The recall began on December 1, 2005.
Latches & locks Vehicle recall #06V383000 · 2006 · 139,537 vehicles
What's wrong: On certain passenger vehicles currently registered in the following states: alaska, colorado, connecticut, delaware, idaho, illinois, indiana, iowa, kansas, kentucky, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, montana, nebraska, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, north dakota, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, south dakota, utah, vermont, west virginia, wisconsin, and wyoming. The side door…
Why it matters: As a result, the door latch pawl May not return to the latch position when the door is closed, and the door could open while the vehicle is moving.
The fix: Dealers will install a shield over the front latches; seal a drain hole in the rear window trim molding on the freestyle rear side doors; and apply grease to all front and rear side-door latch mechanisms free of charge. The recall began on November 8, 2006.
1 aftermarket equipment / tire recall replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Fuel system Equipment recall #06E056000 · 2006 · 58,640 vehicles
What's wrong: Certain aftermarket fuel filters sold under the purolator brand name, p/n f65277, shipped from January 16 through June 2, 2006, for use on the above listed passenger vehicles. Due to incorrect design, the quick connectors May not fully seat with the tube interface, even though the person making the connection May believe that the quick connector is fully attached.
Why it matters: Failure of this connection could lead to fuel spillage and, in the presence of an ignition source, a fire could occur.
The fix: Ufi will notify owners and replace the filters free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2006.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 6 mention a fire, 14 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Transmission & drivetrain (136): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (58), warning light on (27), stalls / loses power (22).
- Speed control / throttle (104): the most common themes are warning light on (26), sudden acceleration (25).
- Electrical (95): the most common themes are warning light on (32), stalls / loses power (17), electrical failure (17).
- Engine (58): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (20), warning light on (15).
The 2005 Ford Five Hundred has 510 owner complaints, ranking #1 of 4 Five Hundred model years for complaints (1.9× the average Five Hundred year). Complaints peaked in 2011 (85 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 5 years old, at a median of 72,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2004 (1 complaints, 0 recalls), 2006 (364 complaints, 0 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0 L 6-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 26 | 21 | Regular |
| 3.0 L 6-cyl | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 25 | 20 | Regular |
| 3.0 L 6-cyl | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 17 | 23 | 19 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2005 Ford Five Hundred.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
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FAQ
Does the 2005 Ford Five Hundred have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 vehicle recalls for the 2005 Ford Five Hundred, plus 1 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2005 Ford Five Hundred problems?
Owners have filed 510 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are transmission & drivetrain (136), speed control / throttle (104), electrical (95).
What gas mileage does the 2005 Ford Five Hundred get?
EPA ratings run up to 21 mpg combined (3.0 L, Automatic 6-spd), across 3 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2005 Ford Five Hundred repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.